Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-01-15
NATURAL GAS.
THE GAS TRUSTEES REPORT UPON ITS USE
ASA IliUAlNANT
They Entertain tho Idea PayOrably, but Cal
Attention 10 Several Obstacles
IN the Way.

At last evenings session Of Council, the
following communication from the Gas
Trustees was submitted. in the Second
Branch, but was not reached in the course
of business, before the hour of adjournment
arrived
WHEELING, January IA, 1887.
To the Honorable Mayor and Council Of the
Ctyof WheeliHg:-
GENTLEMEN:-The undersigned respect
fully represent to your Honorable Body
that we have visited the factories, Hills and
workshops of the several signers to the pc
tition of which the following is copy:
Here follows copy of the manufac-
turers' petition, already printed in the city
newspapers
As the result of said visits We have
been, and are, strongly impressed with the
belief that natural gas lights in said mills,
factories, etc, would tend greatly TO ticil-
itate the business of these various indus
tries-throw cheerful light into many .
dark nook and corner of these factories
that have remained for years in gloom,
and will so remain for years to come, I'M
less this economical illumination be in
voked to dispel IT. would lessen the
danger of accidents, prevent deaths of
human beings on fly wheels (such mourn
full accidents have occurred), and prove a
boon to the many hundreds of men en-
plOyed in these places.
Were we in position to do so, we would
recommend the passage of an ordinance
granting authority to the Gas Trustees to
issue permits to natural gas consumers,
under certain restrictions. I'VE would
consider this in no way detrimental to the
city's interest, but possibly would prove
most beneficial after time to its future
growth and prosperity but the act of
the Legislature constituting the Gas Board
involves in effect, we believe, the granting
of the protection of monopoly to the city
of Wheeling in the manufacture and sale of
illuminatinggas, and section of Chapter
90 of the Acts of the Legislature of 1882
straightly defines and limits the powers of
the Board to the control, supervision and
magangement of the Gas Works. pipes and
connections, of all necessary repairs, of the
purchase of necessary materials, of the
supply of gas TO consumers, of the collec-
ton of the revenues, etc, and other powers
necessary 30 carry out those above named;
and no authority or power being granted
to said Board to issue permits OF the char
acter contemplated, to consumers of nat
ural gas, nor to any natural gas company,
to sell to such consumers. We feel, with
all due respect, that with or without such
authority from your honorable body, and
until the Leg stature enactS bill meeting
this exigency, We prefer not to transcend
or in any manner exceed the powers vested
in the Board Of Gas Trustees by the laws
of this State.
In conclusion, We would represent that
from personal observation at the mills, fac
tories, &C., of the petitioners, We are thor
Oughly satisfied that in no single case
would permission to use the natural gas in
the localities designated to us, interfere or
in any manner come in conflict or cOmpe
tition with the gas manufactured by us.
This report is intended to cover the petit
ton of Charles X. Behler Robert Simpson
and Others, referred to US for consideration
by your Honorable Body, and the same is
herewith returned.
All Of which is respectfully submitted,
+. L. JEPSON,
OSCAR SEELEY,
THOMAS f. LEWIS,
Trustees.